"My father is a Magic Knight respected by many. No matter the foe, he would fearlessly take the lead and charge in, carving a path for his allies. He's retired now due to his injuries, but back then, his courage was legendary. Everyone praised how his bravery inspired the hearts of his comrades."
Yugo and Misery sat side by side on a bench at the training grounds. To fulfill his duty as her master, Yugo listened in silence as Misery spoke of the deep admiration she held for her father.
"I saw him fight once, up close," she continued. "We were out as a family when Magic Armor Beasts appeared. To protect me and everyone else there, my father took them on alone. He charged into the swarm without a hint of fear and annihilated them. He looked so incredible in that moment."
Misery spoke of the event that had sparked her yearning—a cherished memory of days gone by. She wore a faint, bittersweet smile, but her expression quickly clouded. She tightened her fists, her voice trembling with pain.
"I wanted to be just like him. I ignored my parents’ protests to become a Magic Knight and even had a magic item made to match his—all because I idolized him so much. I'm the daughter of 'The Stinger,' after all. I believed that since his blood ran through my veins, I could be just like him. I was so naive and reckless... It's laughable, isn't it?"
"I’m not laughing. When I was a kid, I honestly believed I’d travel the world on the Train of Time or follow a Rainbow Line born from imagination."
"Hehe! What is that? It sounds like a lovely dream, though."
A small smile played on Misery’s lips, and she seemed to regain a fraction of her brightness. However, the suffering, regret, and sense of helplessness still swirled within her. She continued to pour her heart out to her master.
"I realized I had no talent the moment I arrived at this academy. I’d blindly believed I could be like him without any proof, but I was just a talentless dropout. The martial arts I spent my life refining hardly work here. I realized that if I fight the way my father did, I'll never be strong. When that truth hit me, my spirit just snapped."
"But Misery, you're working hard to get stronger right now, aren't you? That’s proof your heart hasn't stayed broken."
"No, Master. I... I was just so bitter. After my spirit broke, I kept telling myself it was because I was a girl and he was a man. I used that as an excuse while I played along with a Hero Candidate just to feel valued. I used being a woman as a weapon. When he threw me away, it felt like I was being told I had no worth as a Magic Knight or as a woman. I was so frustrated and ashamed of myself that I didn't know what to do..."
"And so you decided you wanted to change that part of yourself."
Misery gave a small, solemn nod. With large tears spilling from her eyes, she turned toward Yugo.
"You're disillusioned, aren't you? Knowing I'm a woman filled with nothing but such negative emotions..."
"No, not really. Like Marcos said, someone who’s desperately clawing their way to the top is much cooler than someone who just rots away because they’ve given up. Besides, look at me. Right after enrolling, I lost to Zenon, had my fiancée stolen, got disowned, and lost my home. I’m a pretty pathetic guy myself. You might not like being compared to me, but I feel a certain kinship with you."
"Thank you... It’s strange. When I hear your words, Master, my chest feels warm."
Every time Yugo encouraged her, her heart grew a little lighter. Misery smiled, sensing that he was speaking from his soul rather than just offering platitudes.
"Misery, tell me one thing," Yugo said, his tone turning serious. "What was it about your father that you actually admired?"
"Eh...?"
The sudden question caught Misery off guard.
"If the root of your yearning lies in the way he powerfully defeats opponents using the Wasp Needle, then I won't interfere," Yugo explained. "In that case, sticking to your current path would be for the best. But if that’s not it... will you trust me? Will you try changing the way you fight?"
"Change my fighting style? How, exactly?"
"I can't tell you that yet. Not until I've confirmed your intent. Think about what it is you truly admire about your father, and then give me your answer."
Misery went quiet. The question was a trial in itself; she had to find the answer within her own heart. She closed her eyes and searched her memories, picturing her father's silhouette.
She looked back at the man who had exerted his strength without reserve to protect her and so many others. She reflected on the exact moment she had been moved by the sight.
(That’s right. It wasn’t his raw strength I admired. What I wanted most was—!)
It wasn't his power to strike down enemies that had captivated her. While she respected his strength, it wasn't the primary reason she wanted to follow in his footsteps. There was another side of him that had made her think, "I want to be like that."
Now that she realized the truth, she didn't hesitate.
"Master Yugo... Please, tell me more about changing my fighting style."
"Alright! But I’m telling you, this training will be hell. Can you keep up for a week?"
"It’s exactly what I want. I’ll follow you even if it kills me!"
Yugo grinned at her resolute answer.
And so, under Yugo’s instruction, the intensive training began. With Misery finally rediscovering what truly mattered to her, she had one week to prepare for the duel that would determine her future.